The new Chargers regime did their homework before deciding what to do with Jared Gaither

On Wednesday morning, they informed the left tackle.

Gaither has been released, resulting in a combined $6 million in dead money between the 2013 and 2014 salary caps. The decision comes amid questions up and aown the organization about his commitment to the team, and it's timed a few days before the April 1 start of its voluntary offseason conditioning program.

There was no easy out of this contract.

The 25-year-old would have counted $6.5 million against the cap if left on the roster. But this way, he will not see the $4.5 million in new-cash base salary he'd receive for making the Week 1 roster.

As for the release itself, this was not a surprise.

That it did happen, however, does speak measures about the Chargers' mistrust in him, sparing a physically talented veteran at a position of such great need.

When the 6-foot-9 lineman was going in San Diego, he was great. He dominated in five starts after being claimed off waivers late in the 2011 season. He allowed no sacks or quarterback hits over that period, ceding just three hurries.

Then Gaither became a free agent in a weak free agency class, and the Chargers saw little alternative but to pay a hefty price and secure the talent despite character concerns. He signed a four-year, $24.5 million deal in 2012. He was a full participant in spring workouts, and the calendar turned to summer.

That's when everything started to unravel.

In a sign of things to come, Gaither was carted off the practice field for dehydration on July 26, the first day of training camp. He returned for a full practice the next day but then complained of back spasms the following morning in the team weight room.

Gaither missed the rest of training camp, all of the preseason and the start of the regular season.

During that period, multiple sources expressed mounting suspicion that Gaither would rather be alone on the sideline than with his teammates on the field.

"If my word is anything, trust me," Gaither said on Sept. 8. "I'd rather not be in the training room. I'd rather be out there, fighting with my guys, getting ready to go up to Oakland and prepare to get the 'W.' Unfortunately, it's something I have to deal with. I'm definitely not happy about it."

Gaither did play four games in 2012 before, in November, being placed on injured reserve with a groin injury. He was essentially kicked out of the team facility, sources said, told not to return.

He pocketed $9 million for four games. Nicknamed "Big Lazy" in Baltimore, at least one former Chargers player has appointed him the nickname "Ocean's 11," a reference to the heist films. Attempts to reach Gaither by phone Wednesday were not successful.

Now, San Diego looks ahead.

The Chargers must find their next starting left tackle, expected to come in the draft. The team is assigned the No. 11 pick in the first round.

On the roster now are veterans King Dunlap, Michael Harris and Kevin Haslam. They all have experience at the position, none of them are considered to be a franchise left tackle at this stage in their careers.

San Diego has not drafted an offensive lineman in the first round since 1986, but it's shown a willingness to invest heavily in the position.

Lately, that hasn't worked out.

Left tackle Marcus McNeil, left guard Kris Dielman and Gaither all received lengthy, lucrative contracts from the Chargers, and all saw their time in San Diego, for a variety of reasons, end abruptly.

Injuries forced productive Pro Bowlers Dielman and McNeill into early retirement after the 2011 season. Dielman suffered a grand mal seizure on the team plane hours after suffering and playing through a concussion Oct. 23 against the Jets. He was not diagnosed until after the game, and upon a formal review, the team was cleared for its handling of the situation.

McNeill dealt with serious spinal issues and was forced onto injured reserve on Nov. 30. On that same day, the Chargers thought they struck gold when they claimed Gaither off waivers from the Chiefs and the replacement went on to play brilliantly to close out the season.